Vonn gives encouraging update after painful setback.
Lindsey Vonn shared a positive update after a scary crash at the Winter Olympics. The American skiing star said she had her third surgery on February 11. She shared the update on Instagram and posted photos from her hospital room.
Vonn told followers she continues to make progress, even if the process feels slow. One photo showed her injured left leg secured in a medical device. Another image showed stitches below her knee. In a separate picture, she smiled and gave a thumbs-up from her bed.
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful,” Vonn wrote. “Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”
The 41-year-old suffered a serious leg injury during the Olympic downhill race on February 6. She broke her tibia after losing control and crashing at high speed. She stayed on the course for several minutes before a helicopter took her to the hospital.
Doctors in Treviso, Italy, are treating her injury. Vonn thanked her doctors and fans for their support. She also shared photos of flowers she received from well-wishers.
She also praised her US Olympic teammates for their performances. “Thank you to my teammates for giving me something to cheer for,” she wrote.
Vonn is staying positive even after the painful injury. In one hospital photo, she smiled and joked with a medical staff member. Her posts show she is determined to recover.
The crash forced Vonn to take her second helicopter ride in less than two weeks. On January 30, she completely tore her left ACL during a World Cup race and injured her knee. She went through intense rehab but still decided to compete in what she called her final Olympics.
A complex tibia fracture ranks as a serious injury. Medical experts describe it as multiple breaks in the shin bone along with soft tissue damage. The injury often causes extreme pain and requires surgery and long recovery time.
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, watched the crash from the course and spoke to NBC reporters afterward. “She just dared greatly and she put it all out there,” Kildow said. “It’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay.”
Fans and teammates continue to rally around the three-time Olympic medalist. Vonn keeps a close eye on the Games from her hospital bed. She congratulated Jackie Wiles, Paula Moltzan and Ryan Cochran-Siegle on social media after their medal wins.
The road ahead looks long, but Vonn plans to keep fighting.
